Here's the difference between mythical and legendary Pokémon
Fans of Pokémon are obsessed with rarity, and no other categories of Pokémon are rarer than Mythicals and Legendaries. But what’s the difference between a Mythical and a Legendary Pokémon, and how many are there?
Pokémon are loosely categorized in several ways, with one of the most awkward distinctions being between Mythical and Legendary Pokémon. Both are strong, and both are rare, but for casual players and TCG fans, there isn’t really any way to tell the difference between them. So what are the differences between these two Pokémon classes? Here’s how to tell the difference.
Mythical vs. legendary Pokémon: What’s the difference?
Mythical and Legendary Pokémon are different in terms of their total base stats and how they’re obtained.
Mythical Pokémon typically have 600 total base stats; however, there are exceptions to this rule. Phione does not have a base stat total of 600, though it is Mythical. Arceus, being the God of Pokémon, has a base stat total of 720, which fits because Arceus should be the most powerful. Hoopa Unbound is another example, plus Mega Evolving Mythicals will change their base stat totals, but many of them are at 600.
These base stats can be distributed in different ways, but the total is consistent across all mythical Pokémon. Many early Mythical Pokémon, including Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, and Shaymin, had 100 points for all six base stats. Since then, Mythicals have had their stats distributed unevenly, making them much stronger than the classic jacks-of-all-trades of past generations.
To compare, “sub-Legendary” Pokémon, including Urshifu, Zapdos, and Tapu Koko, have base stats that range from 550 to 600. Legendary Pokémon generally have base stats that range from 650 to 700, but there are some exceptions. In a battle of Mythical Pokemon vs. Legendary Pokémon, Legendaries would come out on top in most matchups. That may seem wrong, but that’s how The Pokémon Company set it up.
The other key difference between Mythicals and Legendaries is the method players can use to catch them. Legendary Pokémon are typically special encounters in a Pokémon game, while Mythicals are distributed through special events. We can see this illustrated beautifully in Pokémon GO, where Mythicals are caught after Special Research, while Legendaries are in raids.
Some Mythicals that were originally distributed via events are catchable as part of a game’s story, such as Arceus in Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Deoxys in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. But overall, Mythicals tend to be much rarer than Legendary Pokémon.
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Sub-legendary Pokémon explained
Sub-Legendary Pokémon are Pokémon that count as Legendary, but are not restricted in game modes like the Battle Tree or Battle Tower.
Legendary Pokémon can have a very broad range of total base stats, ranging from Urshifu’s 550 to Black Kyurem’s 700. This difference has led Game Freak to ban or restrict the usage of the strongest Pokémon in competitive formats, with these Pokémon being referred to as “restricted.” Sub-Legendary Pokemon are those that are Legendary but don’t face these restrictions.
Legendaries that are parts of “trios” such as the Legendary Birds of generation one and the Swords of Justice from generation five have all been categorized as sub-Legendaries. Various other Legendary Pokémon are also categorized as sub-Legendaries, including Latios and Latias, Spectrier and Glastrier, and the Guardian Deities.
Legendaries that have comparatively low base stats that can change form to become more powerful are still categorized as full Legendaries. This includes Kyurem, Zygarde, Necrozma, and Calyrex. Alongside this, Cosmog and Cosmoem are both categorized as Legendary despite not being powerful until after their evolution.
List of All Mythical Pokémon
There are 23 Mythical Pokémon as of Generation 9. The full list of Mythical Pokémon includes:
- Mew
- Celebi
- Jirachi
- Deoxys
- Manaphy
- Phione
- Darkrai
- Shaymin
- Arceus
- Victini
- Keldeo
- Meloetta
- Genesect
- Diancie
- Hoopa
- Volcanion
- Magearna
- Marshadow
- Zeraora
- Meltan
- Melmetal
- Zarude
- Pecharunt
At least one more will be added in 2027 when Winds and Waves, Generation 10, drops. For now, this list is conclusive.
List of All Legendary Pokémon
There are a whole lot more Legendaries than Mythicals. While most Generations release one Mythical, there are almost always multiple Legendaries. Beginning in Gen 1, this is the full list of all 70 Legendary Pokémon (including sub-Legendaries):
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Moltres
- Mewtwo
- Raikou
- Entai
- Suicune
- Lugia
- Ho-Oh
- Regirock
- Registeel
- Regice
- Latas
- Latios
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Rayquaza
- Uxie
- Mesprit
- Azelf
- Dialga
- Palkia
- Heatran
- Regigigas
- Giratina
- Cresselia
- Cobalion
- Terrakion
- Virizion
- Tornadus
- Thundurus
- Reshiram
- Zekrom
- Landorus
- Kyurem
- Xerneas
- Yveltal
- Zygarde
- Type: Null
- Silvally
- Tapu Koko
- Tapu Lele
- Tapu Bulu
- Tapu Fini
- Cosmog
- Cosmoem
- Solgaleo
- Lunala
- Necrozma
- Zacian
- Zamazenta
- Eternatus
- Kubfu
- Urshifu
- Regidrago
- Glastrier
- Spectrier
- Calyrex
- Enamorus
- Wo-Chien
- Chien-Pao
- Ting-Lu
- Chi-Yu
- Koraidon
- Miraidon
- Okidogi
- Munkidori
- Fezandipiti
- Ogerpon
- Terapagos
More will be added with Winds and Waves.
Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.
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